Can anyone beat Jorge Lorenzo? The MotoGP riders are heading to Catalunya for the 7th round of the MotoGP season, and that is the question they will have to answer, and the feat they will have to prove. Lorenzo has four straight victories under his belt, winning both races at Silverstone, and then doing the double again at Assen, and has taken a 47 point lead ahead of the MotoGP pack.
"Montmelo is a very special track for me,” said Lorenzo. “it is the closest to Mallorca and I can feel the people supporting me. Last year I lost at the final corner but now I will try to come back to the podium to celebrate with all my fans. We have a big gap in the standings and it gives us confidence and allows us to be calm, but the team will be working at the same level, I am sure. We still have twelve more races, double what we've already had! We should enjoy Montmelo and then, after these three consecutive races, we have earned a little break - a week for a rest!"
Dani Pedrosa will be Lorenzo's biggest challenger. Lorenzo is also returning to his home track, where he won in 2008. Pedrosa is coming off of a solid weekend in Assen, where he took second.
“I arrive at Catalunya GP in a very good mood” Pedrosa said. “The last race in Assen was an excellent example of how we will never give up. The practice sessions were very difficult but our team never became downhearted and we were working until the final moments to get a good result. I’m happy with the race because I was able to maintain a high pace from the first lap to the last and I hope we can do that again in Catalunya.”
Pedrosa's Repsol Honda teammate Andrea Dovizioso will also provide ample competition for Lorenzo. Dovizioso is just four points behind Lorenzo, and has experienced a lot of success at the Montmelo track, although never in the premier class.
The Ducati team of Hayden and Stoner will also be looking to put an end to Lorenzo's win streak. Hayden took third at Assen, while Stoner finished 7th.
This weekend is sure to display some phenomenal racing, but it also may be the proper venue for a big MotoGP announcement. Rumors have been flying about Valentino Rossi's future, and it's possible that a decision to go to Ducati could be made official this weekend at Catalunya.
